element14 announces Smarter Life Competition winners

element14 has chosen three winners out of 18 finalists who built forward-thinking technology projects as part of the Smarter Life Competition.

Douglas Wong (US) and his smart thermostat won the first-place prize - an all-expenses-paid trip to Germany and Embedded World 2014, 25-27 February. The project enhanced the functionality of the traditional thermostat to include speech recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, an Android app and a GPS-based clock that never needs to be set, among other features. At the Embedded World conference, Wong will have the opportunity to showcase his design in Cypress’s and element14’s spaces while networking with conference attendees.

Anthony Kahl (Australia) and his smart bicycle light took second place with a prize of a $1500 voucher on element14 retail sites. The light turns on in darkness and when movement is detected, flashes in a number of different modes and turns off after a period of no movement, when removed from the bike and/or when light is detected. It’s also chargeable via USB and audibly alerts the user when the battery is low.

Javier Hernandez (Puerto Rico) and his GeoCar took home the Peoples’ Choice award and a $1500 voucher on element14 retail sites. This project used technology including a GPS receiver, Bluetooth connectivity, a proximity sensor and an accelerometer to gather data on car use. Parents, for example, could confirm via smartphone the whereabouts of their children when borrowing the car. In the instance of an accident, speed and directional data could be extracted to determine the behaviour of the driver.

The initiative aimed to create interest in futuristic technology using the PSoC 4 Pioneer Kit. Design engineers and hobbyists alike were encouraged to develop projects that had the potential to enhance the home, automobile or office environments.